Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church: Now the “Old Kirke Museum”

ARCHITECT: Christian Petersen
CONSTRUCTED: 1868-1869

This church is now the Old Kirke Museum.

History: The first Dane arrived in Manistee in 1860. Others quickly followed and soon there was quite a colony. The Danes united with the Norwegians and Swedes already settled in Manistee and a church was formed.

In May of 1868, the Scandinavians held a special meeting and selected a committee to assist with the building of a new church.

Within days, two lots on Third and Walnut streets were purchased for $700. Christian Petersen received $300 to design and build the structure. Ground was broken in late May.

On August 1st, 1869 the first service in the new church was held despite the fact that it was without pews and was unplastered.

The church is a fine example of beautiful 19th century Danish architectural influences, featuring decorated gables, a spire, belfry with louvered openings, an elaborate hand carved altar and an intricately carved replica of a Viking ship, complete with masts, sails, rigging, boom and rudder. Over 130 years later, the ship still looks our over visitors form its perch on the balcony railing.

In January 1970, the church consolidated with the two other Manistee Lutheran churches. And in 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, It is considered to be the oldest existing Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Currently: The church is now the Old Kirke Museum and is located in the oldest Danish Lutheran Church building in the U.S.A. and has an exhibit space on teh lower level that houses the pricelss Madsen Lumbering Dioramas as well as changing exhibits. The building also has a beautifully preserved sanctuary where Scandinavian working families and their descendants worshiped from 1868 until 1970 when it became part of this non-profit Museum.

The OKM is open during the summer throughout July and August before and after the Thursday morning speakers' series First Person Stories and Songs, a part of the Midweek Mornings in Manistee. It is also open in December from 11am to 2pm on Saturdays and during Manistee's celebration of Sleighbell Weekend when OKM holds its annual Scandinavian Christmas Open House with traditionally decorated Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Christmas trees and lots of traditional Scandinavian cookies. It is open other days throughout the year by prearrangement or by chance as volunteers continue restoration and rehabilitation of the buildings.

For more information or to schedule a tour contact the OKM at oldkirkemuseum@gmail.com or visit the Old Kirke Museum Facebook Page.